Review: The Calm Before the Final Storm in The High Republic Adventures: The Nameless Terror #3

Phase 2 of the High Republic publishing initiative is winding down, but that doesn't mean you get to push it into your rearview mirror. George Mann's The High Republic Adventures: The Nameless Terror is making a name for itself as possibly the most underrated title in this publishing saga to date. The first two issues cemented the miniseries as 'Alien in Star Wars,' and Mann has channeled much of that terror.



Issue #3 is hitting shelves this week from Dark Horse. The third chapter of this tale is your bog-standard calm before the storm. The typical horror formula usually sees the monster give the protagonists a reprieve before deciding to stop playing games in the final act. Mann has more on his mind though, injecting this issue with some compelling moral dilemmas that challenge everything we knew about the conflict between the Jedi and the Path of the Open Hand.



Previously, Rok and Coron learned more about what hunts them. The Path member known as Kane explained it was a creature that would bring about the end of the Jedi. Elsewhere, Pako executes a plan to take out whatever is stalking them outside the ship, allowing Rok and Coron a moment to escape. In an attempt to reach the rest of the group, the duo leads Kane outside of the ship, where they come face-to-face with the Nameless that just won't quit. Staying true to the Alien format, Kane is the first to go, leaving Rok and Coron to cower in fear as they flee.



Spoilers ahead...







Contrary to what High Republic publishing has established and the murderer's row of Jedi victims at the hands of the Nameless, they are not the only ones in peril. The moral of The Nameless Terror #3 is that the beast doesn't discriminate, and the Path of the Open Hand needs saving too. After escaping, Rok and Coron find the survivors of the Force cult. They soon reunite with Sula and the others, with the Path offering themselves as neutral parties.







Tensions immediately arise with everyone intermingling in the same Nameless egg-laden hangar bay. Our protagonists accuse the remaining Path members of hiding information about the predator outside. Meanwhile, the Force cult is trying to explain that Kane was the only one who knew the full extent of what they were carrying. As far as the Path is concerned, the absurdly large objects that litter the ground around them are just obscenely expensive gemstones.



Thankfully, cooler heads prevail as they find some common ground. That being the inherent desire to survive. It was soul-cleansing to see that despite all of the nonsense from the past several months of brewing conflict, Jedi, civilians, and Path can band together. So many things could have been avoided during this phase if the Jedi and the Path just talked. Or if Eiram and E'ronoh just stopped to breathe instead of diving back into war for the umpteenth time. There are bigger issues in the galaxy, and right now, our heroes and villains must put their differences aside to fight for a better tomorrow. That's a nice message for this series to hang its hat on.







Eventually, we do get to the beginning of the end. Rok and Coron are planning a move back to the engine room and simultaneously draw away the Nameless. Rok and Coron's master Sula get brief scenes that give off 'I'm going to sacrifice myself to protect you' vibes. I found myself getting tense over both. For Rok, it would be a noble death after he couldn't do the same and protect his Padawan in Quest for the Hidden City. His dynamic with Coron has been delightful, and I often forget that Sula is the master in this picture. For Sula though, it would be yet another High Republic Padawan (that's growing on me) left without a mentor. Let's give Coron someone to leave this disaster with in one piece please.



Once outside, Rok and Coron quickly realize the Nameless isn't just a brainless beast. The gap in the hull allowed an opening for the monster to get inside the ship finally. Once Sula and the others realize this, the Jedi leaves the hangar to confront it once and for all. Meanwhile, the barely-recovered Xinith ignites her lightsaber to hold the line for those that remain behind. But at this moment, readers' worst (or in my gleeful Nameless-loving mind, best) fear is realized. The eggs in the back of the hangar begin... to crack.







I found myself liking The High Republic Adventures: The Nameless Terror #3 more as I wrote this review. It doesn't move the plot as much as a penultimate issue probably should, but I found myself thinking about the bigger picture. Phase 2 of this publishing initiative is a finale for many of these characters, and the fact is that Mann has made these characters' fates something to get anxious over.



When The Nameless Terror wraps up later this month, I might wish the central horror was a bit more present. Although, a killer finale, as seen in any classic monster movie of this ilk, will appease those concerns. The stage is set, and it's time to hunker down in the basement before the nameless storm hits.


<p style='text-align: center;']RATING: 7.5/10</p>


Star Wars: The High Republic Adventures – The Nameless Terror #3 is available now wherever comics are sold. Special thanks to Dark Horse Comics for the ARC used in this review.



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